The Passion Vine Autumn 2018

THE

AUTUMN 2018

VINE

IS YOUR HPA COMPLIANT? PAGE 10

REGIONAL FIELD DAY

BEERWAH 28 MARCH PAGE 16

IPDM POSTER SERIES Alternata Spot PAGE 12–13

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

SPECIALISING IN

Passionfruit, Pawpaw, Bananas & Limes P PROFESSIONALISM P MARKETING P COMMUNICATION P LOGISTICS

P TRADE TERMS P QUALITY PRODUCT P FOOD SAFETY P PERSONAL CONTACT

CONTACT

BRISBANE

SYDNEY

P: 07 3379 1041

P: 07 9763 1323

Railing No. 5 Block C Brisbane Markets

Stand 189/190 B Shed Sydney Markets

Sean Russell Aidan Hutton 0418 158 331 0419 700 278 sean@jetipper.com.au aidan@jetipper.com.au

EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY FRESH FOODS & SERVICE | WWW.JETIPPER.COM.AU

MEET THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Tina McPherson 15 Zinks Road, Bundaberg QLD 4670 07 4159 3001 | 0428 415 930 tina@tinaberries.com.au

VICE-PRESIDENT Jane Richter 160 Judds Road, Glass House Mountains QLD 4518 07 5438 7662 | 0431 700 258 jane@chorizotrading.com

INDUSTRY SERVICES MANAGER Margie Milgate 21 Turramurra Road, Tarragindi QLD 4121 0439 596 174 admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au Please contact Margie for any administration or membership queries.

MEMBER Aidan Hutton Sydney Markets, Shed B Stand 189/190 Homebush West NSW 2129 0419 700 278 aidan@jetipper.com.au

CONTENTS 02 PRESIDENT'S REPORT 03 STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN — HOW TO GET INVOLVED

04 REGIONAL ROUND-UP 07 WELCOME BRIDIE CARR 08 LATEST MARKETING RESULTS 10 HORT CODE TIME IS RUNNING OUT 12 PULL OUT & KEEP POSTER— ALTERNATA SPOT

14 EXPORT PROJECTS 15 PROGRESS IN THE BREEDING PROJECT 18 HELP FINDING SUITABLE FARM LABOUR

19

MEMBER Jim Gordon P.O. Box 119, Yandina QLD 4561 07 5446 7536 | 0403 185 961 jill_88@msn.com

MEMBER Anton Stretch 70 Alfs Pinch Road, Beerwah QLD 4519 0433 632 251 stretcho000@hotmail.com

MEMBER Ian Constable 260 Boyds Lane, Dulguigan NSW 2484 02 6672 6826 | 0428 181 246 ianconstable11@bigpond.com

REGIONAL FIELD DAY COMING TO PASSIONDALE FARM AT BEERWAH WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2018

DISCLAIMER The advice and opinions in the articles published in The Passion Vine are essentially those of contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Passionfruit Australian Incorporated or the Editor. The advice is at the reader’s own risk, and no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the material presented. Inclusion of an advertisement in this publication does not necessarily imply endorsement of the product, company or service by Passionfruit Australia Incorporated or the Editor.

Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) makes no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in The Passion Vine.

Reliance on any information provided by Hort Innovation is entirely at your own risk.

Hort Innovation is not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way, including from

16

any Hort Innovation or other person’s negligence or otherwise from your use or non-use of The Passion Vine or from reliance on information contained in the material or that Hort Innovation provides to you by any other means.

Copyright © Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited 2018 Copyright subsists in The Passion Vine. Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) owns the copyright, other than as permitted under the Copyright ACT 1968 (Cth). The Passion Vine (in part or as a whole) cannot be reproduced, published, communicated or adapted without the prior written consent of Hort Innovation.

Any request or enquiry to use The Passion Vine should be addressed to: Communications Manager, Hort Innovation Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia E: communications@horticulture.com.au | P: 02 8295 2300

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

1

PRESIDENT'S REPORT Dear Readers,

Sweltering heat is how many of us will remember February of 2018 as we rush headlong into March.

Various plants in my garden are telling me that rain is coming, and I hope when it does it is kind and consistent and not chaotic and furious!

We have been busy already as an industry association working on plans for regional field days, getting updates on current projects and their progress and discussing how our levies should be directed!

At the Passionfruit SIAP (Strategic Investment Advisory Panel) meeting earlier in February, I heard our industry described in two ways that struck me. The first was as a “young industry” and the second was as an industry with possibly “the purest inverse relationship of supply to price (demand)”.

Relative to other primary production crops I guess the commercial passionfruit industry could be described as young! I am sure, however, there are some growers who have been growing passionfruit for over 30 years that may disagree! And supply and price… well, we all live that curvy rollercoaster every day!

The role of the SIAP is to discuss where our levies are spent and directed, and what the best return on investment is for our levy spend. It is important to keep these two things in mind to guide us as we discuss future projects and progress our “young” industry and try to smooth out that supply so that the peaks of production are not our troughs of returns!

The SIAP is one of those meetings that appears to take place behind closed doors with faceless men and women directing the industry that WE are all a part of. I want to assure growers that this is not the case and explain a little about this process, so we can all have a say in our future, a future that we as levy payers fund.

On the SIAP, we are fortunate to have a diversity of experience around the table; growers who have been growing for closer to the 30-year mark and growers that have been growing for less than two or three seasons and everything in between. This diversity enables us to bring together a wealth of experience from both within the industry and from the wider world of research, agriculture and business.

In addition to our industry relationship manager from Hort Innovation, Brad Mills, and the independent chair, the members of the SIAP are all growers!

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www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

Melissa Smith, Ross Brindley, Jane Richter, Brian Westwood and myself do our very best to gauge what industry want and be sure that our levy funds head in that direction. Under discussion are all current projects and which issues are most vital for the industry into the future.

How can you help us as a grower? Well, each of these members is more than happy to listen to what you think our most critical issues are and try to see that they are addressed by research and development and marketing projects.

Want to help more? There are vacancies on the SIAP currently and, if you are interested, you will be pleased to know that the time commitments are only a couple of days a year.

A better geographical representation of growers would always be welcome as different issues are experienced in different regions! SEE PAGE 3 It is with great excitement that Passionfruit Australia are bringing together our first regional field day in March.

This will be held on the Sunshine Coast and is the first of a series of field days to be delivered by Passionfruit Australia over the next four years. Soil Health is the topic of the day with some fantastic presenters lined up and a farm visit. The other opportunity that a field day brings is the networking with other growers, sharing ideas and knowing you’re not alone! Please come along and work with us to build a cohesive, collaborative industry with all our best interests at heart! SEE PAGE 16 for details These field days will come to all regions and we will be working with you to establish the best time for delivery and best locations! So, don’t be shy about letting us know what you want to learn more about and how and when you’d like to learn it!

I am an eternal optimist, so it is with real conviction that I believe that 2018 will be a great year for our industry and for us as growers.

Best wishes,

Tina

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY?

— Potential im pact of this plan is $ Based on a n est total invest imated ment of $ from 2017 to 2021 —

9.7m

1.84m

Australian Passionfruit

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN 2017–2021

The SIP has been developed in consultation with the passionfruit industry using funds from the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund. This plan represents the roadmap for the future development of the industry. This plan drives investment decision-making by Hort Innovation who invest levy funds on behalf of the industry.

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

GROW SALES DEMAND

GROW FRUIT QUALITY

BE IN THE KNOW

GROW SALES RETURNS

FARM YOUR BEST

Increase domestic demand and export opportunities that maintain price stability

Improve retail quality of passionfruit to match consumer expectations

Provide access to relevant and timely data that improves industry wide decision-making

Improve pest and disease management and the development of new varieties that increase grower productivity and profitability

Improve farm and industry sustainability from identifying and adopting best practices

__________________________________________________

_______________________

MARKETING CAMPAIGN ‘Add a splash of passion’ Latest results

PF16003: PASSIONFRUIT COMMUNICATION PROGRAM Regional Field Days

__________________________________________________ PF15000: NATIONAL PASSIONFRUIT BREEDING PROGRAM Latest project update

PAGE 8 & 9

Export projects progress report PAGE 14

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

HOW CAN YOU INFLUENCE THE WAY YOUR LEVY FUNDS ARE INVESTED?

1

Become a member of Hort Innovation — its free and easy to sign up at www.edms.horticulture.com.au/ Forms/memberapply

2

3

If you have an idea for a project that you think would benefit the industry, you can submit the idea as a ‘concept’ for consideration by the SIAP

Apply to join the passionfruit SIAP and directly influence the future of the passionfruit industry – to register your interest contact Bradley Mills

www.edms.horticulture.com.au/ Forms/ConceptFormV2

Bradley.Mills@horticulture.com.au 0408 635 465

For more details, please visit www.horticulture.com.au/grower-focus/passionfruit

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

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REGIONAL ROUND UP DARWIN FAR NORTH QLD

(Mareeba, Daintree, Cooktown)

WIDE BAY (Bundaberg)

SOUTH EAST QLD

(Gympie to Glass House Mtns)

NORTHERN NSW

PERTH

(Tweed Valley)

W E AT H E R WATC H NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

An average month in the central and northern growing areas.

Rainfall was below average in all growing regions except SEQ where the Sunshine Coast received 100mm more rain than usual.

It was a dry and hot January for most of Queensland outside of the northern tropics.

Mean maximum temperatures for Queensland as a whole were 2.26 °C above average, and the fifth-warmest on record.

Averaged across NSW, the mean maximum temperature was 3.8 °C above average, the third-warmest on record, and the highest since 1939.

Wetter and cooler than average in SEQ and Northern NSW. The Sunshine Coast received more than double the average rainfall across 17 days of rainy weather.

Daytime temperatures were above long-term averages in most areas.

Far North Queensland growing areas were starved of rain with half the average rainfall at Mareeba.

RAINFALL OUTLOOK

| M A R – M AY

CHANCE OF EXCEEDING THE MEDIAN RAINFALL

2018

CLIMATE OUTLOOK OVERVIEW

www.bom.gov.au/climate © Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

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Chance of exceeding the median rainfall (%)

(Issued 15 February 2018)

— Both daytime and night-time temperatures for the season are likely to be warmer than average in the northeast, central and southern parts of Australia. Eastern NSW, southeast Queensland and northwest Australia have roughly equal chances of a warmer or cooler than average three months.

— A drier than average March to May is likely for large parts of central Australia, including the southern NT, western Queensland, northwest Victoria and scattered parts of WA and eastern SA.

LONG TERM AVERAGE RAINFALL (mm) WEATHER STATIONS

MAR

APR

MAY

Mareeba

157.8

42.3

12.0

Bundaberg

115.2

56.5

68.4

Sunshine Coast Airport

168.6

156.2

151.6

Murwillumbah

217.6

155.9

132.6

GROWER REPORTS FAR NORTH QLD The beginning of a new season for Far Northern Growers as coastal and inland growers have completed the new plantings for the 2018 crops. Weather-wise, coastal growers finished their 2017 growing season with punishing rainfalls in the extreme, while inland areas wish for rainfalls that would fill irrigation dams and replace underground bore water.

Tinaroo Dam is now at 36%, without a better than an average wet season Tinaroo Dam may not reach the 50% mark. Lakeland Downs is having similar conditions; catchment dams and water bores are critically low. Hopefully the wet season will deliver in time for concerned growers.

Good quality panama passionfruit continues to leave Mareeba for the southern market. Prices have been ordinary for Panama passionfruit since Christmas along with limes, stone fruits and other tropicals. It appears post-Christmas supply outgrows demand. Is this caused from an economic slump after Christmas spending?

FAR NORTH QLD

(Mareeba, Daintree, Cooktown)

NOV DEC

Mareeba (station 031210)

JAN

36.6 47.4 145.2 [46.6] [86.8] [208.8]

MEAN (mm)

7 [4.1]

5 [7.3]

13 [11.8]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

30.3 32.6 [31.6] [32.1]

31.6 [31.2]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

19.5 19.9 [19.2] [20.7]

21.2 [21.4]

MEAN DAYS >1mm

One last thing – it would be great to have some information about the other FNQ growing areas to share so anyone who’d be willing to have a chat with me once a quarter, please get in touch with me at the farm on 4093-4437. Thanks!

Brian Westwood, Mareeba

WIDE BAY

(Bundaberg)

BUNDABERG Hello everyone. In the last two months Bundaberg has been uneventful in the wild, extreme weather department. January produced about 120mm of rain and the first four days of February produced an ‘old fashioned’ type rain event, a slow & steady, good soaking 80mm of rain. Like most areas, the summer crop volume was down on previous years.

The market prices reflected this and it was even worthwhile to pick & send between Christmas & New Year. Now in early February, the Pandora are about finished, and the Misty’s are just trickling along. There seems to be a good flower & young fruit set so here’s hoping March & April bring on a good crop. Until next time. Thanks.

Bundaberg (station 039128)

NOV DEC JAN

MEAN (mm)

97.6 104.6 126.8 [85.7] [127.6] [174.2] 7 [5.6]

MEAN DAYS >1mm

5 [6.2]

7 [7.8]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

27.7 30.5 31.4 [28.5] [29.6] [30.3]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

17.7 20.4 21.1 [18.8] [20.5] [21.5]

Peter Griffiths, Bundaberg SUNSHINE COAST

SOUTH EAST QLD

Hello everyone. It has been another dry summer here on the Sunshine Coast, but at least we had a good dam supply thanks to the spring top up we had. Production has been relatively light and the quality variable. The only good thing has been that the prices have held quite well this year, which suggests that nobody has set any production records this summer. Disease has not been much of an issue due to the dry, but of late we have had a lot of sting damage - either spotting bug or passion vine bug. There is always something.

(Gympie to Glass House Mtns)

As of the beginning of February, there is some new season fruit, with the quality somewhat improved. There must be a bit more fruit around as the price has stalled even though we don't have much. It has been a struggle keeping the young plants going this year. The harsh dry summer has taken some vigour out of their growth. Hopefully, the recent bit of rain will give them a boost. It appears that Easter will see us busy again and in the mean time we will catch up on some spraying and vine training. I hope that I catch up with some of you at one of the upcoming field days.

MEAN DAYS >1mm

17 12 6 [7.0] [10.0] [10.3]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

26.1 29.1 29.9 [27.1] [28.3] [29.0]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

17.5 19.9 20.8 [17.9] [19.8] [21.3]

Sunshine Coast Airport (station 040861)

NOV DEC JAN

MEAN (mm)

179.2 249.2 57.6 [85.8] [147.5] [145.5]

Jim Gordon, Yandina TWEED AREA

NORTHERN NSW

I hope everyone had a great Christmas & New Year, even though it can be the busiest time on the farm. Our crop was late coming in starting around mid-to-late December, with the fruit only coming on strong during the January moon. The rest of the Tweed growers seemed to have had plenty of fruit at around the same time, however Christmas fruit was plentiful on some farms and not on others.

Fruit quality for us was very good with not a lot of small fruit. However, disease started to creep in early February with some rain around making it hard to spray. Another issue was the green fruit that the sweethearts would drop on a hot day. No amount of irrigation seemed to help - they just didn't handle the heat.

Our young vines have done well with some good fruit set. Of course, blind tipping was an issue again this year; it seems to get a little worse each year. A new variety can't come soon enough! Our farm seems to have gone straight into a new crop, with very little time between fruit. Our Autumn crop seems to be about to set with lots of flowers out. All the best.

Nick & Nerida Hornery, Newrybar

(Tweed Valley)

Murwillumbah (station 058158)

NOV DEC

MEAN (mm)

127.9 131.6 74.0 [124.9] [168.3] [208.5]

JAN

MEAN DAYS >1mm

15 [9.8]

15 [10.9]

6 [12.1]

MEAN (MAX ºC)

25.6 [27.7]

29.7 [29.1]

30.7 [29.6]

MEAN (MIN ºC)

16.4 [16.7]

19.4 [18.5]

19.7 [19.8]

Figures in [ ] are long term historical averages.

All weather data from www.bom.gov.au Thank you to Brian, Peter, Jim & Nick for their reports.

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

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t 07 4159 7394

Find us here: 408 Dahls Road, Calavos Qld 4670

www.widebaypassionvinenursery.com.au

m

0429 656 922

e peteandsally4@bigpond.com

We specialise in

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marketing Passion Fruit Tony Chiefari

M: 0418 294 645 E: tony@topclassfruit.com.au

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M: 0417 166 29 E: brooke@topclassfruit.com.au Sydney: Shed B103, Sydney Markets P: 02 9746 3786 - Brisbane: Unit A21, Rocklea Markets P: 07 3278 6188

Our professional team are dedicated and focused every single day on selling your fruit.

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Welcome

BRIDIE CARR Bridie Carr joined the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) in November 2017 as a Development Horticulturalist, where she has taken over the role from the recently retired Peter Rigden.

She originally comes from a small town called Te Puke, which has a claim to fame being the Kiwifruit capital of the world. During school holidays – like many young ‘Te Pukeans’ she worked on kiwifruit orchards and in cool storage facilities in the local area for income.

After her time at Te Puke High School she had a working holiday in the United Kingdom for a year where she worked in a preparatory school as a matron. Encouraged after multiple visits to Kew Gardens and her travels she decided studying plant science was what she wanted to do. She moved back to New Zealand in 2008 to complete her studies in Plant Biology and Horticultural Science at Massey University in Palmerston North.

She moved over to Australia for the role with the department from Hawkes Bay, where she was working for the New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research as postharvest physiologist. The majority of her research was in postharvest storage quality of the new varieties of pipfruit (apple and pear) and summerfruit (apricots, plums and peaches) that were a result of the institutes breeding programmes. She has also contributed to two NZ aid work programmes – one in vegetable production in the Banteay Meanchey Province of Cambodia, and another in Avocado oil production in Muranga, Kenya. She has also spent some time working in Lleida in Spain on a conjoint programme with the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) and also at the University of California in Davis.

Before joining Plant and Food Research, she was a Technical Field Representative at Horticentre Ltd in Northland, New Zealand. This was Bridie’s first job out of university and in this role, she provided technical support and advice to large and small-scale producers in Avocado, Kiwifruit, Tamarillo, Ornamentals and Passionfruit (indoor and outdoor).

In her new role with QDAF she is working alongside a number of crops including Avocado, Mango, Pineapple, Macadamia and Passionfruit. Her role involves providing extension expertise and management on various research and development projects that the department is involved in. She also manages the general enquiries that come through the department from commercial growers. She is based at the Maroochy Research Centre just outside of Nambour working closely with Simon Newett – one of the department’s senior horticulturalists.

Bridie is looking forward to working with the Australian Passionfruit industry on future projects. She is very fond of passionfruit and if there is any need for volunteers for any consumer sensory analysis, she would love to help out!

Welcome to Passionfruit Australia Bridie!

CHECKPOINT USEFUL DIARY DATE REMINDERS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER 30th March Good Friday 1st April Easter Sunday 2nd April Easter Monday 25th April ANZAC Day 7th May Labour Day (Qld) 1st April 2018 Deadline for Implementation of the Hort Code of Conduct Don’t get caught out, ensure your business is compliant SEE PAGE 10 for more details

28th April 2018 Quarter 3 BAS direct lodgement deadline Monthly BAS deadline is the 21st day of the month following the end of the taxable period Lodgement via a registered BAS agent 26th May if lodging by the BAS Agent Portal, PLS or ECI

28th April 2018* Quarterly payment due date for Superannuation Funds

Bridie will be joining us for the first Regional Field Day in Beerwah on Wednesday 28th March so come along and say hello!

*As this falls on a weekend, you can make the payment on the next working day

30th March – 16th April Queensland State Schools Holidays

16th April – 27th April NSW State Schools Holidays

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

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HORT INNOVATION MARKETING UPDATE

BY KELLY McGUINESS

The 2017/18 Summer Flush saw the start of the new ‘A Splash of Passion’ messaging for Australian Passionfruit. To support this message, 3 new recipes were created, as well as a video showcasing 3 ways to use passionfruit. This video aimed to encourage consumers to buy up big during the flush.

CRACK IT TOP IT, FREEZE IT! WATCH IT NOW AT www.facebook.com/ aussiepassionfruit

The three recipes created were:

A PASSIONFRUIT SMOOTHIE BOWL, PASSIONFRUIT CHEESECAKE SWIRL BROWNIES & PASSIONFRUIT, COCONUT & QUINOA MUFFINS The smoothie bowl recipe is very on trend and was used in the summer media outreach – try it for yourself on PAGE 22.

We’ve kept in close contact with the foodies throughout the season, with seasonal information, tips and tricks and summer recipes being shared with both Australian media outlets and influencers, plus hampers were sent to 10 of the best top-tier media and influencers to announce the start of the season. This is a great cost-effective way to get their attention and encourage them to engage with passionfruit.

The hampers contained beautiful passionfruit, the media release and ice cube trays and ice block moulds to showcase the ‘freeze it for later’ message, which was found to resonate most with the media over the hot summer months.

RESULTS EARNED MEDIA 41 passionfruit articles published. Total opportunities to see sitting at over 3.5 million people.

Nine Kitchen’s parent website nine.com.au is viewed daily by 1.2 million people

Influencer highlights include Lyndi Cohen a.k.a. The Nude Nutritionist, The Lebanese Plate and Nourish Naturally, who have a combined following of over 230,000 people. These influencers are an important part of the PR program, as they not only have a large following, but are authentic in their love for fresh produce, and are a way to reach our target audience in an organic way by people they trust.

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At the end of 2017, Aussie Passionfruit increased their recipe presence on the Myfoodbook website (www.myfoodbook.com.au).

Myfoodbook houses a range of recipes, and allows for members to create their own cookbooks, as well as pulling together themed cookbooks throughout the year. Last year, Aussie Passionfruit were included in the Dessert Lovers book, which was downloaded over 11,000 times, and the Aussie Passionfruit recipes on the site were viewed over 13,000 times in 2017. This is a bonus subscription and comes at no cost to the industry.

RESULTS

SOCIAL CHANNELS Aussie Passionfruit continued their social media presence Since July, we have reached nearly 5 million people with Passionfruit content; in December alone, we recorded 2.5 million page impressions.

What is an impression? Impressions measure how often your content appears on screens for your target audience.

An impression is counted as the number of times a piece of content is on screen for the first time.

FACEBOOK 10,090 NEW fans ‘liked’ the Facebook page since July an awesome +21% increase

INSTAGRAM We have also continued to see growth on the Aussie Passionfruit Instagram page, with currently 1,108

followers — 18% increase since July.

In November to January, there were

48,186

26,008 25,089

Top post Summer 2017 Impossible Pie recipe from 46,875 PEOPLE REACHED • 537 SHARES 820 REACTIONS • 118 COMMENTS

16,200 total page impressions

Top post Summer 2017 Cake with creamy passionfruit icing 581 LIKES 12 COMMENTS

With the summer season still on-going, full results will be reported on in the WINTER edition of The Passion Vine.

Looking forward, planning will begin on the winter campaign, with highlights including in-store demonstrations, and a media event to drive high reaching stories on the visual, taste and health benefits of Australian passionfruit.

For more information about the current campaign or any ideas that you have for marketing opportunities, please contact Kelly McGuiness at Hort Innovation: Kelly.McGuinness@horticulture.com.au THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

9

HORT CODE OF CONDUCT

DEADLINE 1 APRIL 2018

THE CLOCK IS TICKING ARTICLE COURTESY OF GROWCOM WITH THANKS

The new Horticulture Code of Conduct has been designed to protect growers, but also reflect the flexibilities that need to operate in the market place.

All growers and traders must have a Code compliant Horticulture Produce Agreement (HPA) for domestic wholesale trading. Growcom is pleased to launch its templates to assist growers in the development of their horticulture produce agreements (HPA) required under the Horticulture Code of Conduct.

These templates have been developed with significant input from solicitors, growers and grower organisations around Australia. It is our view that these templates are a useful starting point for negotiations around the horticulture produce agreement and provide a clear and easy to understand outline of the responsibilities of both parties. There is no such thing as a “standard” agreement under the new Hort Code of Conduct so make sure you invest time in understanding the implications and that you get the right agreement for your business.

WHAT STYLE OF AGREEMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? AGENCY An agency template is used if a trader sells the produce on your behalf to a third party and takes out a pre-agreed commission. The agent does not legally “own” the produce at any point in the transaction process.

MERCHANT A merchant template is used when the trader (wholesaler) takes ownership of the produce and pays you an amount determined on or before delivery or using a pre-agreed method or formula for calculating a price. If a method or formula is used then there are additional reporting requirements, such as letting you know the final sale price of your produce to the third party. One area for careful consideration in this type of agreement is the definition of “delivery” to the wholesaler; do not simply assume that “delivery” is defined as a signature on your freight providers’ consignment note as this may not be the case.

Many growers have excellent and longstanding relationships with their traders and if that is the case, then you should be able to negotiate an agreement that works for both parties.

Regardless of the length of your relationship, you must have a formal, signed compliant HPA to be able to trade after 1st April 2018.

DO REMEMBER You DO NOT have to simply sign whatever is sent to you by your agent.

Passionfruit Australia Inc. & Growcom recommend that you seek independent legal advice and ensure that the HPA you sign reflects the right terms for your business relationship with your agent(s).

You can find these templates at: https://www.growcom.com.au/horticulture-produce-agreements-hpas

Hort Connections 18-20 June 2018 — Brisbane AUSVEG and PMA Australia-New Zealand Limited (PMA A-NZ) have again united to deliver the joint industry conference and Trade Show, Hort Connections 2018.

Hort Connections 2018 will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre 18-20 June 2018, with the event catering to buyers and sellers from every segment of the fresh produce supply chain including seed companies, growers, packers, processors, shippers, importers and exporters, wholesalers and retailers, foodservice, associated suppliers to the industry, and many more.

Following on from the successful Hort Connections 2017, this year’s event is set to become the most influential space for networking, education and business for the entire fresh produce industry.

For more details, visit www.hortconnections.com.au

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HAVE YOU TRIED? Have you tried? is going to suggest products that you may not be aware of and provide details of where you can try them out.

There are so many options for fertiliser available these days that it is hard to know what is the right type of product to use on your farm. And often, new products are developed, but you don’t find out about them unless you specifically go looking for information.

If you attend our first Regional Field Day on 28 March in Beerwah, you’ll have the chance to experience some of the Katek products first hand; Andrew Weeks from Katek will be one of our supporting suppliers and will be joining us for the day as well as providing free sample products to support our Business Card Draw and mini-expo so come along and explore the Katek range.

SUPER GROWTH LIQUID All-purpose fertilizer containing liquid composted poultry manure, liquid fish, kelp, humic and fulvic acid for optimal soil and plant health As well as our composted poultry manure, Super Growth Liquid contains:

LIQUID FISH ü Full of naturally balanced minerals and trace elements ü Supports earthworms and micro-organisms ü Assists with nutrient mineralisation

N2 : P 1 : K 2

KELP mportant in protecting plants during hot, dry weather or during times of frost ü I ü Builds pest and disease resistance

HUMIC & FULVIC ACIDS ü Improve the soil, increase plant root growth and metabolism and help plants deal with environmental stresses ü Highly biologically active

WHERE TO BUY — For your nearest stockist visit: www.katekfertilizers.com.au or phone 07 5486 1141 or talk to Andrew on 427 223 307 N.B. Passionfruit Australia Inc does not directly recommend these products and all information displayed is as provided by the manufacturer of the product.

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

11

sease

Major

Common

—— A distinctive symptom is the rapid loss of leaf at the centre of the vine adjacent to the stem

—— S ymptoms can vary with some less resistant varieties developing large orange spots about 10mm in diameter

centre and a yellow halo on more resistant varieties

—— S pots on leaves are usually small with a tan or brown

LEAVES & TIPS

SYMPTOM IDENTIFICATION

SERIOUSNESS

FREQUENCY

Alternaria alternata CURRENT AT NOVEMBER 2017

& tips

—— Leaves fall readily with one or two spots evident

windy weather

etal resis

tance

10 mm

a rious dise e s d n a n o ease is a comm s ith a tan i w is d ll h t t a , o m s s p u g y s n all 12 s irbor ne fu s are usu a e Alternata v n a a var y with , le a n t n a a o c n s r s t e o m lt p o a t S p ia i varieties . ties . Sym y Alternar ter . A dist it ie b e r u r a d m f v e n ia t s d n io u a s a t in s C m sis pa . Leaves bout 10m n more re in hybrid a o y m s e ll t t lo ia s o a c p h e e s h w p t es range cent to SUITABLE d a yello anSTAGE adjaFRUIT large oFACTORS e r e ATTENTION RISK g t n in in v e p c e lo n h e t v of de FOR FRESH SALE brow he centre varieties t t t n a a f t a is s le f e o less r . rapid loss e h t s evident is t o m p o s t p o w m t sy or Warm, wet, only one h it w y il d Special Leaf, Fruit No rea

FUNGUS (AIRBORNE)

CHEMICAL ALTERNATA PERMITS SPOT FOR PASSIONFRUIT

r two spots evident . oss of leaf at the centre of the vine adjacent to the stem . Leav developing large orange spots about 10mm in diameter . A d low halo on more resistant varieties . Symptoms can vary wit ssionfruit varieties . Spots on leaves are usually small with a lternata, an airborne fungus, this is a common and serious d

Caused by Alternaria alter especially in hybrid passio are about pinhead size, wit Spots sometimes coalesce Infected flower remnants a are not suitable for the fre

a major source of infection for developing fruit

—— I nfected flower remnants are

blemishes up to 30mm across on susceptible varieties

—— S pots sometimes join and form

a tan or brown centre and a greasy, water soaked margin

—— S urface spots start out pin-size, with

FRUIT & FLOWERS

Alternata spot dise

Early symptoms

E s o g

Advanced symptoms

—— S pacing: Allow adequate space between plant rows so that air can circulate and leaves can dry quickly after rain —— Pruning: Prune to remove dead and weak sections; this will allow better air circulation and penetration of fungicide —— Hygiene: After pruning, remove the debris and burn it.

NOTE: The fungus can remain alive in the soil between fruiting seasons.

—— Spraying: Regular application of appropriate fungicide sprays like Mancozeb m solver field guide_Internals.indd (Dithane), sprayed every50 7-10 days depending on the weather. Always use efficient and well-calibrated equipment for spraying.

—— Incorporate a curative fungicide into your preventative program —— Recommended spraying interval ranges from 7 to 28 days dependent on: • Rate of growth of leaves and fruit – shorten interval when growth rate is high • Incidence and frequency of rainfall – during rain events, spray within 7 days of the last spray • Temperature – use shorter interval when daytime temperatures are above 20°C

PREVENTION

50

Advanced symptoms on green fruit

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 51

More resistant Infected variety flower remnants are a major source of infection

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Intern

2318_Passionfruit problem solver field guide_Internals.indd 51

—— A lways use fungicides in accordance with the current Resistance Management Strategy.

For more information visit www.croplife.org.au

24/05/13 1:47 PM and addition rates —— A lways follow the guidelines on the label and ensure you observe EHD & WHP

—— A mistar 250SC (Azoxystrobin) and Rovral (Iprodione) are both permitted for Passionfruit

—— C abrio (pyraclostrobin) has a minor use permit PER12781 (Exp. 30/6/2018)

—— S trategic sprays using strobilurin fungicides may help control outbreaks

MANAGEMENT

Less resistant variety

Symptoms on mature fruit . Less susceptible

variety (left), variety Symptoms onsusceptible mature fruit .

Less (right) susceptible variety (left), susceptible variety (right)

30 mm Fruit & flowers

24/05/13 1:47 P

24/05/13 1:47 PM

Fruit & flowers Images and information reproduced with permission under Copyright from Queensland Department of Agriculture

Early stage symptoms on fully grown fruit

Fruit & flowers

EXPORT POTENTIAL BECOMING A REALITY

BY JANE RICHTER

Thanks to the excellent work already undertaken in the research phase of the project MT17002 – Tropical Fruit Export Strategy, a strategic levy investment co-funded under the Hort Innovation Passionfruit fund, we are already much closer to having a realistic pathway for exporting Australian passionfruit. Although the project is still in progress, we were given a sneak peek at some of the research insights at the recent SIAP meeting held in Brisbane.

David and Catherine from project delivery partner McKinna et al, gave the group an overview of the project research. As we already know, there is almost no recorded export activity of passionfruit from Australia and most of the global production of passionfruit appears to be consumed within its country of origin, although the lack of available globally recorded data specific to passionfruit makes it difficult to talk in absolutes. We do know that South Africa, Colombia and Ecuador have been active in the export of passionfruit in recent years.

Based on a bespoke algorithm developed by McKinna, the team have identified a number of export markets where there appears to be potential for passionfruit from Australia based on pricing, seasonal availability and freight cost competitiveness. Passionfruit are also a relatively unknown fruit in many of these potential markets which represents a tremendous opportunity for Australia, providing we formulate the right market approach, product and brand strategy, and we identify the right market segments to target for long term success.

Stay tuned for the final project report and recommendations later this year.

Our second project investigating export opportunities is also ongoing, although no formal update on progress has been received from the Griffith University team responsible.

Growers from around the country who had indicated their interest in export have been contacted by the researchers and a couple of focus group sessions have been held. Feedback from grower participants indicated that the sessions were expertly run and provided a really good opportunity for growers to discuss export as a business channel for passionfruit.

The next steering group meeting will be held in March where the research results will be presented, and a draft plan discussed. A final plan is due by the end of June 2018.

What are the next steps?

Having a good quality plan is just the start for us as an industry. Work is already underway to identify further funding opportunities as a way to rapidly facilitate the next stage where specific markets will be assessed for the viability of Australian exports. In conjunction with investment by the Hort Innovation Passionfruit fund, it is important to the long-term success of export as a business option that target markets are well researched and target segments within those markets are clearly identified, with the right product formats developed to optimise the opportunity and create a differentiated offer for Australian passionfruit.

Thank you to both project teams – McKinna and Griffith University – for their investment in our industry and thank you to all the participants in both the research and the steering groups helping to guide the projects along.

A further update will be provided in the next edition of The Passion Vine. In the meantime, we will be creating an Export Sub-Committee to help work through the steps required to make an export business viable for passionfruit growers.

If you’d like to join the subcommittee please contact Margie admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au or 0439-596 174.

Remember...

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!

14

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL PASSIONFRUIT BREEDING PROGRAM Peter Bundock | Southern Cross Plant Science | Southern Cross University | E: peter.bundock@scu.edu.au

PF15000 National Passionfruit Breeding Program is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund.

We are now just over 18 months into the project. Quite a lot has happened since I last wrote in the spring edition of The Passion Vine.

ROOTSTOCK & PANAMA BREEDING, TRIALLING AND SELECTION Added after the initial program began, we have now planted 137 Panama-type vines from 24 lines and crosses (mostly 4-6 vines per line/cross). We will be inspecting and testing these vines to select the best lines for the second stage of the trial (planted out in 2018).

The selected lines will be trialled more extensively on grower’s properties as potential rootstock varieties and a number of lines will be trialled in a Panama full variety trial looking at vine health, fruit production quantity and quality.

The Panama and rootstock vines planted at Burringbar will be subject to attack by the Fusarium fungus now known to be present in the soil there. This should give us some idea of the resistance to this pathogen amongst these varieties.

SCION VARIETY BREEDING — GRAFTED SELECTIONS FROM 2016-2017 TRIALS OF SEEDLINGS There were 580 seedling grown vines that were part of the 2016-2017 trials. Of the 29 promising vines, the four highest scoring vines were grafted in larger numbers for distribution to six growers for further assessment during 2017 - 2018. I have already visited four of the sites to see these trial vines and they are all looking healthy and vigorous, and some are fruiting quite heavily already. Although a promising start, the fruit size is perhaps overly large and some triallists are reporting issues with the fruit not detaching from the vine. Further time is needed to evaluate the performance of these vines.

DNA MARKER DISCOVERY At the PAI AGM in October I presented information on the discovery of DNA markers that appear to have good association with fruit quality traits in one of the passionfruit crosses. These findings are based on the DNA marker genotyping that was carried out as part of a seed grant from Southern Cross University (in 2015) on the Toms Special x Lacey progeny planted out by PAI – originally at Shane Adams property at Burringbar and then grafted and a copy located at Nick Hornery’s property at Newrybar.

Fruit from the Newrybar population was sampled last winter and measured for the following characters: fruit weight, fruit colour (in its simplest form just yellow or purple), pulp pH and BRIX. We scored a smaller number of vines at Burringbar for fruit quality traits. The next step in the process is to convert the markers into a useable form and then validate these markers in a larger population of Toms Special x Lacey progeny. These are being grown at Nick Hornery’s place once again.

Once we have validated the markers, we can use them in the selection of the next generation. By following this method, the identification of these four markers can increase 16-fold the chance of selecting an excellent vine for commercial release.

Although this process may appear laborious, it substantially increases the likelihood of identifying viable commercial varieties in the future and is important groundwork from which to develop a longterm breeding program for the industry.

To manage your time expectations, please understand that at the moment our DNA markers are short pieces of DNA sequence and we first of all need to find these bits of sequence in larger fragments to develop cost effective markers for selection. This is not going to happen next week, but we are targeting the end of the year to have this stage completed.

OWNERSHIP OF PASSIONFRUIT VARIETIES Following the request we made in the Summer edition of The Passion Vine, I believe all ownership questions have been resolved satisfactorily and the program can go forward and use vines that do not have ownership claims on them as inputs for crossing and selection for the project.

One final point to note, any new varieties developed as a result of this project will be owned by Hort Innovation and Southern Cross University as ‘tenants in common’.

If a variety is commercialised and if royalties are collected for this variety, Hort Innovation will transfer its share of royalties back to the passionfruit levy fund.

Thanks to all for your assistance in the program and best wishes for the year ahead.

ABOVE: This photo shows a trial selection from the Sweetheart by Pandora cross made in 2016.

SP-16-102 is a healthy, vigorous vine producing disease-free fruit that are large in size and sweet to taste. The size of the fruit size is expected to reduce as the vine matures and after cycling through a few iterations of grafting.

ABOVE: This photo is of a selection from the Tom’s Special by Lacey cross planted out in 2016.

The vine is healthy and vigorous, and although there is no fruit visible here, the mother vine had typical purple passionfruit tasting fruit – without being too acidic and appeared to be disease free, unlike some siblings which were virus affected.

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

15

REGIONAL FIELD DAY

SOIL HEALTH

EVENT

NEWS

THANK YOU TO OUR KEY SPONSOR FOR SUPPORTING THE DAY

WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH – BEERWAH

WHERE IS THE FIELD DAY BEING HELD? Morning at Beerwah & District Community Hall, Peachester Road, Beerwah (opposite Beerwah Village shopping centre and next to Beerwah Library) Parking available at the Community Hall or in the shopping centre car park Afternoon at Passiondale, 70 Alfs Pinch Road, off Peachester Road, Beerwah

WHAT ARE THE TIMINGS ON THE DAY? WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FIELD DAY?

9.30am

Arrive for Morning Tea

—— M orning sessions by industry professionals in Soil Health and Soil Biology —— Opportunity to ask questions over lunch —— Farm Tour at Passiondale in Beerwah where you can see both trellis & overhead plantings, examine trial vines from the breeding project and see the brand-new nursery facilities which will be providing Sweetheart grafted plants from this spring —— A mini expo from a number of key soil health suppliers with the chance to sample products and ask questions —— Lunch, morning and afternoon tea —— A business card raffle for a range of great prizes provided by our generous supplier sponsors

10.00am

Soil Health sessions begin

12.30pm Lunch 2.00pm

Farm Tour at Passiondale

3.00pm

Supplier Expo & Afternoon Tea

5.30pm

Social dinner at The Beerwah Hotel

? £ ? £

FIELD DAY SOCIAL DINNER AT THE BEERWAH HOTEL

For catering purposes, please RSVP for both the Field Day and the Social Dinner to Margie Milgate: admin@passionfruitaustralia.org.au or 0439 596 174

BY FRIDAY 16TH MARCH

This Regional Field Day is part of PF16003 Passionfruit Industry Communication Programme, a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Passionfruit Fund

NURSERIES UPDATE As we reported in the January edition of our online Passiflora News newsletter, there are now just two nurseries producing grafted commercial passionfruit varieties in eastern Australia. Both nurseries have found it increasingly difficult to produce good quality Sweetheart grafted plants at an economically viable rate for themselves and for growers.

This affects growers in SEQ & the Northern NSW area only.

THE OPTIONS FOR PLANTS FOR AFFECTED GROWERS ARE: Switch to another variety of grafted plants.

Both existing nurseries can provide other grafted varieties including the Tweed varieties developed by David Peasley. Options include Misty Gem, Tango & Flamenco. Unfortunately, John & Vicki's order book is already full for this year, but Widebay Passionvine Nursery are still taking orders although you’ll need to be very quick. Please note: There is a royalty of $1 per plant payable to David Peasley for the Tweed varieties. raft your own using your own tips with rootstock (either purchased or grown yourself).

G Widebay Passionvine Nursery can potentially provide rootstock in 100mm pots grown to the right stage ready for grafting. Contact Peter direct for more details.

Support a new nursery.

A new nursery is taking orders now for Sweetheart grafted vines only. It is based in Beerwah at Passiondale, the farm owned & operated by Anton & Marcia Stretch.

Orders are available on a first-in-best-dressed basis for this year.

16

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

NURSERY CONTACTS John & Vicki McLeod P: 02 6672 3503 E: vickinjohn@live.com.au Peter & Sally Griffiths P: 0429 656 922 / 07 4159 7394 E: peteandsally4@bigpond.com Anton & Marcia Stretch P: 0433 632 251 E: stretcho000@hotmail.com

WHAT IS HARPS &

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

BY JANE RICHTER

We asked if you are “ready for harmonisation” back in the Spring 2017 edition of The Passion Vine, but I think the more important question is “do you actually understand what harmonisation means for you and your farm business?” I ask this because it appears there is widespread confusion across horticulture about what the HARPS project actually means for growers. I’m going to attempt to make it clearer for passionfruit growers by using a simple set of questions.

HARPS Retailers: Do you supply passionfruit – either bulk, loose or packed into retail packs – directly to a HARPS Retailer from your farm?

If you have answered YES to any of the questions above, you have some work to do. You will need to:

Do you pack fruit into retail-ready packaging for a HARPS Retailer even if the fruit is shipped via your agent?

—— Register your business with HARPS by completing the form online at www.harpsonline.com.au by 30th June 2018

—— Retail-ready packaging includes: Retailer returnable plastic crates, applying PLU stickers to fruit, any branded pre-packs

—— Ensure that you are compliant with and audited to the HARPS standards by 1st January 2019

Do you pack fruit into bulk, loose format packaging to a Retail specification that is shipped to a HARPS Retailer, even if the fruit is shipped via your agent?

—— Ensure that your business is also certified to an Approved Base Scheme by 1st January 2019

Do you pack fruit into bulk, loose format packaging to a Retail specification as part of a specific Approved Supplier Program for your Agent?

If you answered NO to all the questions, but you supply fresh passionfruit to the commercial market in Australia, you are required to be certified to an Approved Base Scheme by 1st January 2019, which

means the audit you have this calendar year MUST be to one of the three Approved Base Schemes. Please note HACCP is not an Approved Base Scheme.

The Approved Base Schemes are: Freshcare www.freshcare.com.au Global G.A.P www.globalgap.org/uk_en Safe Quality Food Institute (SQF) www.sqfi.com There are a series of HARPS awareness sessions planned for March and April across growing regions – please see the UPCOMING EVENTS section at the back of this magazine for more details.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Margie or Jane if you have any questions.

DEVELOPING RURAL LEADERS

BY MARGIE MILGATE

Are you interested in making a stamp on your industry and growing your business and leadership skills? The Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund has been set up by the Australian Government to develop leaders who can: —— Champion agricultural issues with rural authority into urban communities —— Join international trade delegations to open new, or retain existing markets —— Assist the industry on biosecurity threats —— Run national corporate organisations and agribusiness companies Passionfruit Australia has joined a consortium of other industry groups such as melons, avocados, mangoes, persimmons, pineapples, banana and lychees that have been awarded a project to assist growers in this goal. The project is being led by the Australian Melon Association.

WHAT IS INVOLVED? The project will include two three-day workshops and monthly webinars over an eight-month period. To register your interest please contact Margie and she will provide the application form. Places are limited, and your application needs to be returned to Margie by 30th April 2018.

Workshops will be held in Canberra and Brisbane and you will be required to contribute your time and some travel costs .

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

17

Government Labour Schemes

Did you know that the federal Government has a set of schemes designed to help growers in the horticulture industry access suitable workers?

SEASONAL WORK INCENTIVES TRIAL The Australian Government is undertaking the Seasonal Work Incentives Trial from 1 July 2017 to help meet the seasonal labour demands of horticultural growers.

The two-year Trial offers financial incentives to support people to take up short term seasonal work opportunities in the horticultural industry by providing them with an opportunity to earn more income without affecting their income support payment.

There are two incentives to encourage participation in the Trial: —— Participants can earn an extra $5,000 each financial year without it affecting their income support payments.

—— Participants may receive a Living Away and Travel Allowance of up to $300 each year if the placement is more than 120 km from their home.

The Trial is being delivered through jobactive, Transition to Work and Disability Employment Services providers. Under the Trial, these providers will work closely with growers to ensure they understand their needs and place the right workers in their jobs.

18

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

Growers who need workers should contact a jobactive, Transition to Work or Disability Employment Services provider to discuss their labour needs. They are located across Australia, and their contact details are available at jobsearch.gov.au/providers.

SEASONAL WORKER PROGRAMME

These providers can assist by:

The Seasonal Worker Programme assists employers, including growers, in the horticulture/agriculture sector when there is not enough local Australian labour to meet seasonal demand. Employers can recruit seasonal workers from participating countries for periods up to 6 or 9 months, depending on country of origin. The Seasonal Worker Programme provides employers with access to a reliable, returning workforce.

—— providing immediate help when there are insufficient local workers

HOW TO ACCESS THE PROGRAMME:

HARVEST LABOUR SERVICES Harvest Labour Services are specialist providers who link job seekers with harvest employers offering seasonal work.

—— screening job seekers to make sure they are suitable for harvest work and permitted to work in Australia —— putting job seekers in touch with growers requiring workers.

The service is offered in eleven harvesting areas across the country.

HOW TO ACCESS THE SERVICES: Contact the Employer Hotline on 13 17 15, or search for a provider in your area at jobsearch.gov.au/providers (search by provider type). In the provider type field, select ‘Harvest Labour Services’ from the drop-down menu.

Employers (including growers, contractors and labour-hire entities) must apply for approval from the Australian Government before they can recruit seasonal workers through the programme. Once approved, they are referred to as ‘Approved Employers’ and can submit recruitment plans for workers to arrive for peak seasons. The Seasonal Worker Programme is subject to labour market testing.

For more information on how to become an approved employer, visit employment. gov.au/how-become-approved-employer.

Grab a cuppa, put your feet up & enjoy!

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

There are

10 differences between these two pictures!

Riddle Time CUT OUT AND KEEP ME

1.

There was a green house.

Inside the green house there was a white house.

Inside the white house there was a red house.

Inside the red house there were lots of babies.

What is it?

2.

What kind of room has no doors or windows?

mecolourin!

WORD SEARCH

SEASONAL TRIVIA-TIME 1. WHERE WAS ST. PATRICK BORN? 2. WHICH CITY DYES THEIR MAIN RIVER GREEN TO CELEBRATE ST. PATRICKS DAY? 3. AS WELL AS BEING THE UNOFFICIAL PATRON SAINT OF LOVE, WHAT OCCUPATION IS ST. VALENTINE ALSO BELIEVED TO BE THE PATRON OF? 4. WHO WAS THE LEGENDARY BENEDICTINE MONK WHO INVENTED CHAMPAGNE? 5. WHICH HOLIDAY TOPS THE CONFECTIONERY SALES CHART IN THE USA?

*** ALL ANSWERS OVERLEAF ***

THE PASSION VINE | AUTUMN 2018

19

Passionfruit

ACAI SMOOTHIE BOWL

SERVES 1 — PREPARATION 10 MINUTES INGREDIENTS

TOPPINGS

Pulp from 2 passionfruit

Extra passionfruit, fresh fruit, granola or toasted muesli

1 packet frozen Acai ½ cup mixed frozen berries 1 banana, fresh or frozen ½ cup milk of choice

METHOD 1. Combine all smoothie ingredients, except toppings, in a blender jug. Pulse mixture, then blend on high until thick and smooth.

2. Tip smoothie into a bowl and top with extra passionfruit, granola and fresh fruit of your choice.

ANSWERS

TIP: You can add more milk, a splash at a time, during blending for a thinner smoothie.

A Mushroom

2.

Watermelon

1.

Riddle Time 4. DOM PERIGNON 3. BEE KEEPERS There are

10 differences between these two pictures

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

2. CHICAGO

WORD SEARCH

1. GREAT BRITAIN (NOT IRELAND!)

SEASONAL TRIVIA-TIME

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au

CUT OUT AND KEEP ME

5. HALLOWEEN (NOT EASTER!)

20

UPCOMING EVENTS 2018

GET INVOLVED

MARCH

Passionfruit Australia Inc. (PAI) is the peak industry body representing passionfruit growers in Australia HOW TO JOIN PASSIONFRUIT AUSTRALIA BECOMING A MEMBER GIVES YOU:

— Access to projects funded by PAI or through competitive grants which provide funds outside of the existing levy system — Grower alerts about immediate threats to your business from weather or pest events provided by our Management Committee

— Representation by an industry body who has your interests as its only priority

MEMBERSHIP RATES | 2017/18 New Grower Member: Renewal Grower Member: New Associate Member: Renewal Associate Member:

$253 $198 $297 $242

Membership runs from July 1st to June 30th each year, irrespective of the date joined.

Membership lapses if renewal not paid within three months of the start of the fiscal year.

Associate Members receive a 20% discount on advertising packages which include more than one advertising insertion.

HOW TO JOIN HORT INNOVATION IT IS FREE TO JOIN AND BECOMING A MEMBER GIVES YOU:

— Free access to Hort Innovation Final Reports — A monthly e-newsletter, Growing Innovation — Direct invitations to participate in industry events, as well as Hort Innovation consultations and forums

— The opportunity to exercise voting rights at Hort Innovation’s Annual General Meeting Please remember paying a levy does not automatically make you a member of Hort Innovation. If you haven’t become a member, then now is your opportunity.

To join, visit www.horticulture.com.au/membership-application-form

Negotiations & Influencing Workshop – BFVG, Bundaberg 14-15 FREE – Contact Michelle Haase on 07 4153 3007

HARPS Awareness Sessions – Bowen 11:30 – 13:30 20 at Conference Room 45, DAF Research Station, Warwick Rd, Bowen – Brisbane Markets 9:00 – 11:00 21 Fresh Centre, 385 Sherwood Road Rocklea –B undaberg 16:00 – 18:00 22 Rowers in the River, 2 Toonburra St Bunderburg Central Farm Business Management Training Workshop – QAWN, Nambour* 20-21 Passionfruit Regional Field Day - Beerwah, Sunshine Coast 28

APRIL HARPS Awareness Sessions - Mareeba 12:00 – 14:00 11 Leagues Club – Doyle & Riordan St Mareeba - Boogan 16:30 – 18.30 11 Centre for Wet Tropics Research, 24 Experimental Rd, Boogan Farm Business Management Training Workshop - QAWN, Mackay*

17-18

Farm Business Management Training Workshop - QAWN, Charters Towers* 23-24 Robots, Drones and Sensors: Future Farming Industry Breakfast – BFVG, Bundaberg FREE – Contact Michelle Haase on 07 4153 3007

Farm Business Management Training Workshop - QAWN, Mareeba*

29-30

JUNE Farm Business Management Training Workshop - QAWN, Toowoomba*

12-13

Hort Connections – Brisbane 18-20 Passionfruit Research Forum – Brisbane TBC

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

UNKNOWN

Farm Business Management Training Workshop - QAWN, Stanthorpe*

26-27

JULY Passionfruit Regional Field Day - Bundaberg TBC *REGISTER AT: www.qatc.edu.au/courses/course-finder/ farm-business-management

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

FUNDED BY:

www.passionfruitaustralia.org.au